We're Home ... and Day One in Ethiopia

We've been home for almost a full week, and it still is hard to believe that our year long journey to our son is over. It has been hard to find time to post, since he is fascinated with buttons and is smart enough to figure out which one is the off button on most things, including the computer.  However, I am determined to chronicle our journey as best I can so that we can remember it. 

Day One - Ethiopia, Sunday - July 18th

We arrived at the Bole Airport in Addis Ababa early Sunday morning after an overnight flight from Rome.  It was cool, drizzly and felt delightfully like home after the blistering heat of Rome.  I had given Ethan a Dramamine to help him sleep on the flight and to prevent motion sickness, and well, let's just say, it more than did it's job.  He felt terrible and was so sleepy once we arrived that basically every time we stopped walking, he curled up on the oh, so clean airport floor.  Our driver, David, from America World, was there when we arrived which was great because we were anxious to get "home".  All of our many bags arrived, as well, and were loaded on top of one of the vans that would be our source of very bumpy transportation while in Addis.  We drove straight to the Yebsabi Guest House, which was much nicer than expected, especially after our very low quality accommodations in Rome.  We climbed the 4 flights of stairs to our rooms (no elevator), where Ethan immediately collapsed on the bed and slept for the next 3 hours.   I stayed with him, while David, Ryan, Kristen and our friend Jennifer Bridges hired a driver to take them to Entoto Mountain outside of Addis.  They were able to see the historic place where Menelik II resided and built his palace when he founded Addis Ababa, the current capital of Ethiopia.  And they had a view of the entire city, as well.

They also went by a village with lots of children where they were able to give out some toys, candy and a soccer ball.

When they returned, it was time for dinner at the guest house, which consisted of pizza.  We all groaned, as we had eaten more than our share of pizza while in Rome, but we were tired and it was good to eat and climb into bed.  I'm not sure that I slept all that well ... just filled with disbelief that tomorrow we were going to meet our son.